Datura metel, commonly called angel’s trumpet or thornapple, is a
shrubby, sprawling perennial in the potato family that bears large, trumpet shaped
flowers that come in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, lilac and
dark purple. The seeds for this listing are those of the cultivar Datura metel
‘Fastuosa’, which has double, purple flowers. Datura metel is native to China. It
is grown as an annual in temperate regions and as a perennial in tropical and
subtropical regions. It grows 3-4’ tall and spreads to as much as 4’ wide.
Ovate, wavy-toothed, dark green leaves (to 8” long). The flowers are large and
trumpet-shaped (to 7” long and 4” wide at the mouth) with a sweetly
overpowering fragrance. From an unusual cigar-shaped flower bud, each flower
will unravel in the evening to reveal a fragrant trumpet-shaped bloom that only
lasts until noon the following day. Flowers will typically bloom intermittently
from mid-summer to frost. Flowers are followed by thorny, spherical fruit.
Datura is similar to Brugmansia, except the trumpets of the latter
are larger, last for several days and droop downward. Winter hardy to USDA Zone
8-11. It is grown as an annual in zones 5-7 and as a shrub in zones 8-11. In
the ground, plants do best in rich, humusy, well-drained loams in full sun with
regular moisture. Plants tend to sprawl, and are best spaced about 3’ apart
unless staking or other support will be used.
Growing Instructions
1. Scarify the seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat.
2. Soak the seed in water for several hours.
3. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that it is moist but not wet.
4. Put the seeds on the soil.
5. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
6. Water the seeds.
7. Place the pots in an area with warm temperatures in full sun or part shade.
8. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.
Bryan (verified owner) –
WOW!! Not one dud in the bunch!! Shortly after planting they started growing ! These are really great packet of seeds!!!
Julian (verified owner) –
The seeds had a great germination rate
Kai (verified owner) –
Good quality.
Jackson (verified owner) –
Very well worth the money.
Ryan (verified owner) –
Easy to grow beautiful